Bookmobile, outreach roundup comes to Santori Library June 2

Aurora Public Library will host 13 libraries in a daylong Bookmobile and Outreach Roundup on Friday, June 2 at the Richard and Gina Santori Public Library.

Attending libraries are members of B'LONG, the Bookmobile & Library Outreach Networking Group that represents libraries in Northern Illinois. They will gather to hear speakers and participate in discussions throughout the day. Topics include programing for seniors and children, reader's advisory, vehicle maintenance, marketing and community engagement and technology.

An open house for the public to tour six library vans and bookmobiles is set for 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the library's south parking lot, 101 S. River St.

Courageous Bakery & Café of Elmhurst will serve a limited number of free cupcakes from their food truck.

Libraries showcasing their outreach services vehicles are Gail Borden (Elgin), Fountaindale (Bolingbrook), White Oak (Romeoville), Lynwood-Glenwood, Skokie and Aurora.

"This is a great opportunity for our members to share ideas to enhance outreach services in their communities," said Kathleen Butzen, outreach services manager for Aurora Public Library.

Aurora Public Library has both a 41-foot traditional bookmobile (which visits public schools during the school year and more than 25 community stops in the summer), and a Mini-Bookmobile (Mini-B) that serves senior living facilities, preschools and homebound customers.

In a typical year, Aurora's Bookmobile and Mini-B:

• Travel more than 10,000 miles;

• Serve more than 9,000 children;

• Circulate more than 110, 000 items.

Next year, Aurora Public Library will celebrate 65 years of bookmobile service.

"Although bookmobiles have been around for a long time, the Aurora Public Library's Bookmobile has kept up with changes in technology and trends," Butzen said. "For example, we circulate hot spots that customers can use to connect to Wi-Fi in their homes in addition to traditional items like adult and young adult materials, DVDs, audiobooks, magazines and graphic novels.

"To many people, the Bookmobile is an essential service. To others, just plain, old-fashioned fun," Butzen added. "It always brings a smile to the face of our patrons, because who doesn't love a bookmobile?"